The 17 best things to do in San Francisco, according to people who live there

Find the best Mexican food in the Mission District.Melia Robinson/Business Insider

San Francisco offers visitors more than tourist traps like Fisherman's Wharf and trolley cars.

To help you experience the best of the city, we surveyed Business Insider employees based in San Francisco on their favorite local spots. From the nature trails at Lands End to happy hour at the Tonga Room, these off-the-beaten path destinations showcase the best the city has to offer.

On Thursday nights, the California Academy of Sciences stays open late for adults-only special events. Take a yoga class in the aquarium, see the stars at the planetarium, or grab a cocktail and mingle with the nearly 46 million scientific specimens on site.

Drink your way through history with a tour at Anchor Brewing Company, San Francisco's original craft brewery. The tour ends with a beer tasting in the taproom.

Sing Alongs at the historic Castro Theater are possibly the most fun you'll have at the movies. The theater screens musicals, ranging from "Mary Poppins" to "Moana," with subtitles so the audience can join in. Dress up as your favorite character to win prizes.